Best Bundts

On the surface, the Bundt doesn’t seem like a dessert with staying power. You have to buy a special pan to make one. It has a hole in the middle. And there’s no frosting (though icing is OK). Yet, the Bundt endures. To celebrate more than 60 years of doughnut-shaped goodness, Nordic Ware, creator of the original Bundt pan, will hold its second annual national contest inviting bakers to submit their most creative, best-tasting recipe – which will be judged on originality, taste, texture, visual appearance and how closely and creatively it represents the state where the baker lives. (Lobster Bundt, anyone?) Each state winner will receive $100 worth of Nordic Ware products, 10 finalists will be treated to a weekend in San Francisco, including the grand prize at the bake-off at the San Francisco Baking Institute. The 10 finalists also will receive a $250 Nordic Ware gift certificate and the grand prize winner of Bundts Across America will receive $10,000 in cash. For information, visit www.nordicware.com. Contest runs from April 1 to Sept. 1.

Maine attractions

Five artisinal food producers from Maine are finalists for Gallo Family Vineyards’ second annual Gold Medal Awards. Appledore Cove LLC of North Berwick, Fitch Farm Kitchen of Jonesport and Sisters Salsa of Blue Hill are finalists in the outstanding condiment-oil-vinegar category. Simply Divine Brownies of Brunswick is a finalist for outstanding confectionary good, and Wood Prairie Farm in Bridgewater is a finalist for outstanding fruit or vegetable. The finalists have been asked to submit their products to be judged by a panel of culinary experts who will determine the grand prize winners as well as the winner of the All Artisanal Award. For information and past winners, including Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co., which won an the outstanding fish and seafood category for its Pemaquid Point Lobster Pot Pie, visit www.gallofamily.com.

Thin and tasty

“Mediterranean Women Stay Slim, Too,” an advice-packed cookbook by chef Melissa Kelly of Primo in Rockland, has been released in paperback. Published by Collins, it costs $12.95 and is available at bookstores nationwide. For information, visit www.harpercollins.com.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.